Daily Devotion

“Christians are fully justified in Christ and therefore righteous before God; but they are still sinners in themselves and need to repent daily. It is in this space between “already” and “not yet” that faith is exercised and grace is experienced.”

Martin Luther · Lectures on Romans

Scripture

Romans 8:1 Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Reflection

Romans 8:1 declares that I am no longer condemned in Christ, a fact already accomplished; 1 John 1:8, however, reminds me that to deny one's sin is to deceive oneself. These two verses place me in the true position: I am righteous in Christ, but I still need to repent in myself. Today I will learn not to slacken because of grace, nor to despair because of weakness, but to practice faith between "already" and "not yet."